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Artful evolution

Mountain Arts Gallery in Midtown showcases a huge collection of high end southwestern works of art from more than 40 different artists. (Kelly Brooks — Ruidoso News)

With such a vibrant cultural, geographic, and historical legacy, artists and collectors have always been drawn to Ruidoso and beautiful Sierra Blanca.

Local galleries feature some of the finest art from renowned local artists and others around the world. That's why no visit to Ruidoso is complete without taking in the artful offerings of the area. Always interesting to note is what artist's work is hot at any given time, what's new in the evolutionary world of art and where visitors buying up this art are coming from.

Kelly Brooks — Ruidoso News
One of the six original paintings recently received at Mountain Arts Gallery by artist B.C. Nowilin.

The Adobe Fine Art Gallery has long been a gallery highlight in Ruidoso. Presenting world-class contemporary art masters of diverse genres and historical artwork, the Adobe has emerged as an award-winning art center. The gallery's rich mix of original fine art paintings, bronze sculpture, designer jewelry, and decoratives bring a distinctive and inviting option to Ruidoso's diverse gallery options. In keeping with New Mexico's remarkable silver and gold jewelry heritage, they feature some of the finest silversmiths and goldsmiths in the area.

In keeping with that tradition, the Adobe recently added a new jewelry line from familiar and popular artist, Janis Loverin. Loverin's paintings have graced the walls of the Adobe for several years but a new jewelry line by Loverin adds an additional dimension to her work.

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"It's a beautiful line of fine jewelry, 18K gold with diamonds and baroque pearls," said Morgan Granger, co-director of the gallery. "It really goes nicely with her other work."

The 10,000-square-foot facility located at 2905 Sudderth Drive always has been a popular stop for collectors and art lovers who visit the area. "We have a good mix of customers," Granger said. "A lot of the people who have summer homes here are regulars. We have many visitors from California and Texas and a good number of local residents as well."

Hot this year has been the work of new Western realism artist Gary Lynn Roberts, son of noted Western artist Joe Radar Roberts. In addition, Granger said that the bronze sculptures of oil derricks by Scott Rodgers are wildly popular.

"His sculptures are stunning."

Another local gallery known for its eclectic mix of high-end fine art is the Mountain Arts Gallery at 2530 Sudderth Drive. Featuring the works of more than 40 different artists, Mountain Arts Gallery also offers professional framing services. Many customers say that their visit to Ruidoso is not complete without a visit to the gallery, said owner and artist Terri Sodd.

Kelly Brooks — Ruidoso News
Part of the new jewelry line by artist Janis Loverin is showcased with her paintings in the Adobe Fine Art Gallery. Loverin's work is made from 18K gold, diamonds and baroque pearls.

"It used to be we'd say most of our customers were from Texas, but not so anymore," Sodd said. "We get a lot of snow birds. We have many customers from Colorado, Arizona and California and a lot of these people reorder off the website when they're not in town. We send out more than 5,000 e-mails each week to keep customers up to date on what's happening in the gallery."

Featuring Southwest portraits, originals and prints, pottery, weaving and sculpture, the familiar landmark in Midtown is not just a place to shop — it's an art experience where new and exciting works of art are always being added.

Recent new additions include original works by B.C. Nowlin, a renowned artist out of the Rio Rancho area.

Kelly Brooks — Ruidoso News
The Adobe Fine Art Gallery on Sudderth Drive showcases the work of renowned artists from the area and all over the world.

"He does masterful paintings that are unreal and we've got six new originals," Sodd said. "We've always had his prints but these are originals, which are hardly ever seen."

Nowlin's work has gained the attention of celebrity collectors such as Tanya Tucker, Robert Plant and Sophia Loren. His artwork has been featured in Jay Leno monologues and are familiar worldwide as album covers and Hollywood set-pieces.

Sodd's artistry also is displayed in the gallery. Specializing in pastel portraits, Sodd portrays the realists expression and feeling of the people of the Southwest. A self-taught artist, she said she favors depicting the Plains Indian tribes and their way of life. Honored with countless awards as well, Sodd's work appears in numerous collections, including those of Larry Gatlin, Roy Rogers, B.J. Thomas, Marty Robins, Loretta Lynn, and Gary Morris. Her works have also been displayed in galleries throughout the United States.

Other recent new additions to the gallery include works in western photography and black and white art. "Additionally, some of our current artists are doing large gallery wrapped prints on canvas now," she said.

What's hot right now? "We don't have anything that doesn't move," Sodd said. "But Judy Hedblom's copper art on canvas is always in demand. There are no two alike. She is so hot right now."

It pays to revisit galleries often. With innovative and ever-changing techniques used by a vibrant art community here and in surrounding areas as well as frequent new additions of artful offerings in all of the area's galleries, visiting Ruidoso's showplaces is the perfect enhancement to a day on the mountain.